Performance Review: Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Seat Leon has a 1781cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Leon shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Leon's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1331 kgs (2934 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 20V St4 engine produces 210 bhp (156 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Seat Leon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet (182.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 157.7 bhp per ton and 149.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Leon competing with the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet (182.7 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE (182.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Seat Leon generating around 149.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE (174.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (174.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.87 secs @ 92.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L (14.82 secs), the 1991 Audi V8 4.2 V8 Quattro (14.82 secs), and the 2005 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible (14.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 has a maximum speed of 141mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Leon equals the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 then how about the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (152 mph), or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (152 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison